The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey…and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
— MATTHEW 21:6–11

I visited the Holy Land and walked the Jerusalem road where Jesus had humbly ridden that donkey. Like those who gathered 2,000 years ago, my heart was filled with faith, thanksgiving and praise, but I didn’t see Jesus. I could only imagine the scene and would have traded my present situation with anyone in that biblical crowd to witness his triumphant entry.

I yearn to see Jesus. I ache for the day when my knees will instantly yield to him whom my eyes see. Along with the Church throughout the ages, my faith waits to see him,[1] but wait a little longer I must.

Meanwhile, my faith hangs on; better yet, it grows. These eyes of faith, they see what is invisible. My faith rests upon the testimony of those who saw and touched him many years ago. My faith is deepened and empowered by the living Spirit who assures me that one day I myself will see Jesus. Faith both responds to what it sees and what it yearns to see. Today I believe that the Jesus who rode the donkey and the Jesus who will ride on a white horse is present right now, although invisible (Revelation 6:2). His Holy Spirit empowers my faith, but all the while my heart aches, and my eyes look to the skies, hoping to see Jesus.

FURTHER SCRIPTURE REFLECTION: JOHN 20:24–29

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Do I really thirst to see Jesus one day, or have I grown dangerously accustomed to not seeing him? How does that influence my daily Christian walk?
2. In the midst of my own trials, what can I do to be centred on a very present yet invisible Jesus?

Jean Martin is Professor and Director at l’Institut Biblique VIE (Life Bible Institute) in Quebec, which prepares lay and licensed workers for ministry in French. Visit ibvie.org

[1] Article 11 of the Statement of Faith of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada: “The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is imminent and will be personal and VISIBLE…”

image: Palm Sunday at the Basilica del Santo Niño by dbgg1979.com https://flic.kr/p/9zki8G